The ongoing strike led by the Nigeria Labour Congress in the Federal Capital Territory has entered its 11th day, with no resolution in sight as negotiations between the labour unions and Area Council Chairmen remain deadlocked.
At the heart of the dispute is the timeline for implementing the N70,000 minimum wage for local government workers.
While the Area Council Chairmen proposed a January 2025 start date, the unions insist on implementation by December 2024 to minimize the growing arrears.
Speaking on Tuesday, Abdullahi Kabir, the FCT Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, explained the unions’ stance.
“We are insisting on December implementation to reduce the arrears to four months. If they start in January, the arrears will increase to five months. This is why we cannot accept their proposal,” Kabir said.
Kabir revealed that the minimum wage issue is just one of several grievances.
Local government workers in the FCT are also protesting the lack of peculiar allowances, pay disparities compared to FCTA staff, and delays in implementing the 25% CONHESS and CONMESS allowances as well as wage awards.
“FCTA staff have received their allowances, yet we are all going to the same markets and paying the same rent. Local government workers have been left behind in the implementation of 25% CONHESS, CONMESS, and other wage awards,” he stated.
Kabir further underscored the unique administrative status of the FCT, noting that the Minister of the FCT acts as a stand-in for President Bola Tinubu, who serves as the de facto governor of the territory.
This, he argued, entitles local government workers to the same benefits as FCTA staff.
Kabir made it clear that the strike would persist until the NLC issues a directive to end it, stating, “We are not backing down until there is an MoU or agreement from the NLC. Until then, the strike continues.”
Efforts to reach Stephen Knabayi, the FCT Council Chairman of the NLC, for comments were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
